Career criminal sentenced to 15 years for owning a handgun

A man who made headlines in 2002 for being shot at by a sheriff's deputy after tossing a box of Chinese takeout at a patrol car will serve 15 years in prison for his latest crime of illegally owning a handgun.

Comment

MailTribune.com

Writer

Posted Mar. 5, 2013 at 4:40 PM
Updated Mar 5, 2013 at 7:40 PM

Posted Mar. 5, 2013 at 4:40 PM
Updated Mar 5, 2013 at 7:40 PM

» Social News

A man who made headlines in 2002 for being shot at by a sheriff's deputy after tossing a box of Chinese takeout at a patrol car will serve 15 years in prison for his latest crime of illegally owning a handgun.

Jorge Armando Cisneros, 34, was sentenced Monday to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Justin Miller, 30, was named as Cisneros' accomplice in the latest crime and also was sentenced to 15 years for felony weapon possession.

Cisneros has a long history of violent run-ins with police, often involving weapons.

"We certainly classify Mr. Cisneros as a career criminal," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Doug Fong.

On Oct. 18, 2011, Medford police responded to a trespassing complaint at a residence. When they arrived, they found Miller standing the yard with a loaded Glock concealed in his waistband.

Officers ordered Miller to the ground and searched his backpack, which contained digital scales, methamphetamine, handcuffs, knives and marijuana.

Cisneros was inside the home when Miller was arrested, but fled before officers could make contact with him.

The investigation revealed that Cisneros had obtained the gun for Miller. He was arrested eight days later during a car stop.

Cisnero's cell phone contained damning evidence showing photographs and videos of him holding the Glock and other firearms.

Under federal law, anyone who possesses a firearm or ammunition after being convicted of three previous violent crimes is considered an armed career criminal. If convicted, the mandatory sentence for this crime is 15 years.

Cisneros made news in April 2002 when Jackson County Sheriff's Lt. Jim Anderson, who was a supervisor in the county's drug task force, fired at Cisneros after he threw a takeout box of Chinese food into Anderson's unmarked police car at the intersection of Columbus and Stewart avenues.

In 2009, a Medford police lieutenant spotted Cisneros driving near Albertsons in west Medford. The lieutenant knew Cisneros had a warrant for his arrest.

As the officer approached Cisneros, Cisneros punched the gas and sped away. A chase ensued throughout west Medford. Cisneros rammed a sheriff's patrol car during the escape attempt. The chase ended when Cisneros' car hit a curb and its tires blew out.

Cisneros' other convictions in recent years include conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and first-degree burglary.